Appeals

Criminal and Traffic Cases

Appeals must be filed in writing within ten calendar days from the date
of conviction. An appeal may be filed by a defendant or by the
defendant's attorney by appearing at the Clerk's Office to complete the
appropriate forms. If a defendant has been sentenced to serve time
in jail, the presiding judge may set a bond or increase an existing bond
to guarantee the defendant’s appearance in Circuit Court. If a new
bond is set for the appeal date and the defendant is not incarcerated on
the conviction, the defendant must appear (not counsel) at the Clerk's
Office to post the bond and sign the bond form. At the time of
appeal, the Clerk's Office will assign a trial date in Circuit Court for
any defendant not requesting a jury trial. If a jury trial is
requested at appeal, then the defendant will be assigned a return date in
the Circuit Court for later selection of a jury trial date. A jury
will add an additional cost of $390 to any fine imposed or court costs
assessed, if the defendant is found guilty.

More information regarding appeals is provided in the brochure printed
by the Circuit Court titled, “Notice to Defendants – Guidelines for
Misdemeanor Appeals”.